Production of gases by decomposition of aqueous electrolytes



F AQUEOUS ELECTROLYTES Oct. 8, 1935. A. KILGUS PRODUCTION OF GASES BYDECOMPOSITION 0 Filed May 11, 1952 Patented Oct. '8, 1935 UNITED STATESPATENT ;OFFICE\ PRODUCTION OF GASES BYDEC OIV I POSI T ION OF AQUEOUSELECTROLY'IES Alfred Kilgus, Stuttgart-Oberturkheini, GermanyApplication May 11, 1932, Serial No. 10,591

. In Germany May 13, 1931 2 Claims.

'My invention relates to decomposing methods, more particularly to suchmethods wherein aqueous electrolytes are decomposed. It is an Myinvention is based on the discovery that, such decompositions may beeither brought about or favorably influenced by magnetic fields and/ormagnetic forces.

If for instance a permanent magnet or an electromagnetic body is broughtinto contact with acidulated water, a distinct development of gasesoccurs, which mainly consist of hydrogen which is by no means due tomerely chemical phenomena, i. e. to a dissolution of the iron of themagnet, since the development of gases also occurs in such cases inwhich a magnet or electromagnet has been previously passivated with theaid of concentrated nitric acid to such an extent that it does not reactwith dilute acids.

This decomposition with the .aid of magnetic forces may be usedeither'alone or, preferably, together with electrical or chemicalinfluences. If for instance an aqueous electrolyte underlyingelectrolytic decomposition is simultaneously subjected to the action ofa magnetic field, the yield in gaseous decomposition products ismaterially increased. When subjecting acidulated water to electrolysis,I have ascertained a development of gases, which is increased for about50 per cent when simultaneously subjecting the electrolyte to theinfluence of amagnetic field.

In carrying out my invention I may produce a magnetic field between theelectrodes of an 'electrolytic cell, where the decomposition is broughtabout, but I may also use electrodes, which are magnets themselves, viz.permanent magnets and/or electromagnets.

Another modification of my invention consists in alternatingly arrangingmagnetic and nonmagnetic electrodes in the same cell, and'even bipolarelectrodes, which are not metallically connected with the source ofelectricity, maybe magnets and/or electromagnets.

A particularly'intense action of the magnetic field is obtained, if theaqueous electrolyte to be decomposed is brought into direct contact withmagnets; preferably with their poles. Similarly, I may use ironelectrodes which become mag- 'netic under the influence of the magneticfield.

. The other details which should be observed when carrying out myinvention do not differ from those usual ,in the corresponding chemicalor electrolytical decomposition methods. When 5 decomposing for instancewater I may collect the gases developed on the two electrodes eitherseparately or together. By using closed pressureresisting decomposingvessels I may collect and withdraw the gasesunder pressure.

In any case the use of an electromagnetic field reduces the energyconsumed in the decomposition reaction, and'the yield is increasedaccordingly.

In the drawing afiixed to this specification and forming part thereof Ihave diagrammatically shown electrolytic cells for the decomposition ofwater.

In Fig. 1 the tank a contains an anode b and cathode c, which areconnected with the positive and negative poles, respectively, of asource of electricity (not shown). Both electrodes consist of amagnetizable metal, preferably of iron.

This cell is subjected to the influence of' an artificial magneticfield, which is produced by means well known to those skilled in theart, for instance by strong electromagnetic coils. The direction of themagnetic field is indicated in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatical plan view of. a similar cell, but thedirection of the magnetic field is not in parallel to the surfaces ofthe electrodes, but runs from the anode to the cathode.

In operating these cells I fill them with a 30 per cent solution ofcaustic potash, and on applying to the electrodes a sufiicient voltage,I obtain a development of hydrogenv and oxygen greatly in excess of thequantities which would be obtained by the same amount of electricalenergy if the magnetic field were omitted. 40 The direction of themagnetic .field according to Fig. 1, i. e. in parallel to the electrodesurfaces, reduces the voltage wanted for a given decomposition effect,while the direction of the magnetic field according to Fig. 2 results inan increased gas yield.

Example 1' An electrolytic cell as shown in Fig. 1 was filled with a 30per cent solution of caustic potash, and

a direct voltage of 7.55 volts was applied to the e ectrodes, resultingin a current intensity of 10 amperes; the temperature of the electrolytewas kept at 18 C., the pressure being 740 mms. mercury. The magneticfield was as strong as Example 2 A cell corresponding to that shown inFig. 2 was operated under similar conditions as described with referenceto Example 1, the voltage being 2.9 volts, the current intensity 5.0amperes, the temperature 16 C. and the pressure 751 mms. mercury(absolute). On using a strong magnetic field there were obtained 15.5ccms. gas

(reduced to C. and 760 ms. mercury) per ampere and minute, i. e.materially more than corresponds to the theoretical amount of 10.44

ccms.

On repeating this experiment under omission of the magnetic field, avoltage of 2.95 volts re-- sulted in a gas yield, which exactlycorresponds to 10.44 ccms. (reduced as above) per ampere and minute.

Various changes may be made in the details disclosed in the foregoingspecification without departing from the invention or sacrificing thetrolytic decomposition of an aqueous electrolyte comprising subjectingthe electrolyte to the electrolytic action of an electric currentbetween magnet electrodea.

2. The method of producinggases by electro lytic decomposition of anaqueous electrolyte 20 comprising causing an electric current to passthrough the electrolyte between magnetized iron electrodes. 7 v

ALFRED KILGUS.

